This regiment was organized in June, 1861, with a numerical strength of 1,057. It was mustered in July 13 and left the state on the 24th, being assigned to Gen. King's brigade.

In September it was made a part of Hancock's brigade, 2nd division, 6th corps, with which it took a conspicuous part in the battle of Williamsburg and the Peninsular campaign. It was in reserve at Crampton's Gap, but fought at Antietam, where Col. Cobb commanded the brigade. At Fredericksburg it was in Pratt's brigade, Howe's division, 6th corps.

It was on duty in New York in Oct., 1863, during the enforcement of the draft, was one of the two regiments to carry the main fort and redoubts at Rappahannock Station; took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, and was engaged at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.

It was then sent to assist in the defense of Washington and was mustered out Aug. 3, 1864.

An independent battalion consisting of three companies, was formed July 13, 1864, by reenlisted veterans and recruits, under command of Capt. Chas. W. Kempf, and accompanied the 6th corps to the Shenandoah Valley. It was in engagements at Snicker's Gap, Charles Town and Cedar Creek.

The regiment was reorganized by Col. Thomas S. Allen, was mustered in Oct. 1, 1864, and joined the three veteran companies at Winchester on the 26th. It participated in the three days' engagement as Hatcher's run, in the relief of Fort Stedman and in the final assault on Petersburg, and won warm encomiums for its work at Sailor's creek, where it advanced through a swamp, waist deep, in the face of a galling fire and compelled the enemy to surrender.

The regiment was with the 6th corps in the pursuit of Gen. Lee which resulted in his surrender at Appomattox. It was mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 11, 1865.

The total enrollment during service was 2,256. Losses by death 285, missing 4, desertion. 105, transfer 33, discharged 405; mustered out 1,424.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the engagement of yesterday, November 7, before Rappahannock Station, Va.:

On the morning of the 7th instant, the regiment marched from Warrenton and halted in line of battle about 1 mile north of Rappahannock Station. We remained in this position until shortly before dark, when we received orders to move forward toward the river. Halting long enough to lead, we pressed on to the front, the Sixth Maine being deployed as skirmishers immediately in our front. When we arrived within about a quarter of a mile in front of the enemy's works, we moved on at a double-quick until we arrived at the earthworks and rifle-pits of the enemy, at which the skirmishers of the Sixth Maine had just mounted. Here we fought the enemy for nearly half an hour, driving them entirely from the earth-works, rifle pits, and from our front, excepting those who fell into our hands.

We here lost 2 brave and gallant young line officers, Captains Walker and Ordway. The former was killed a few paces in front of the earthworks while leading his men on, the latter while standing on the parapet ordering the enemy to surrender.

Colonel Allen and Major Wheeler, while gallantly urging their men on and holding the works, were both wounded, the former in the left hand, the latter more seriously, in the back, and was carried off the ground. Lieutenants Hutchinson and Farwell were both badly wounded while nobly doing their duty.

I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of both officers and men, and where all did so well it is hard to discriminate. They advanced under a terrific enfilading fire from the enemy with a coolness and celerity that was most admirable, having double-quicked for some distance with their complete equipments and eight days' rations, many of whom became exhausted while passing over very rough ground and winding ditches, which somewhat broke the alignment, but seeing the skirmishers close in on the intrenchments, gave a yell and rushed pell-mell into the earth-works and rifle-pits. We remained on the ground during the night.

I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant,

THEO. B. CATLIN,Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Fifth Wisconsin Regiment.

Brig. Gen. DAVID A. RUSSELL,Commanding Third Brigade.

P. S.--Lost in action: Enlisted men killed, 7; wounded, 50.* I would also wish to add that the two companies on the left (D and F) swung around and charged on the rifle-pits connecting the two earthworks, and afterward, with the assistance of another company, drew up from the bank of the river and through the earth-works two pieces of artillery and caissons.

Report of Capt. John B. Doughty, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, of operations September 19.

HDQRS. BATTALION FIFTH WISCONSIN VOL. INFANTRY, September 25, 1864.

CAPT.: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of part taken by this command in the engagement of the 19th instant:

This battalion, with the brigade, broke camp near Clifton, Va., on the 19th instant, and marched thence to about three miles west of Opequon Creek, where we formed in line of battle in rear of the Third Division, Sixth Corps; participated in the charge, and had 4 enlisted men killed, 1 commissioned officer and 11 enlisted men wounded.

CAPT.; In compliance with circular of the 14th instant, I have the honor to report:

First. That in the attack on the rebel lines near Fort Fisher on the morning of the 2d instant my regiment was placed in the front line, with the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts on my right. This line was preceded by a light line of pioneers and sharpshooters. At the signal ''forward!'' the line started promptly, cut through the abatis in a very few moments, and soon carried the works in our front. My regiment first planted its colors on the works. Without waiting to hold captured property, although several guns were captured by my men, a flank fire was opened both to the right and left, assisting the other brigades of this and the Second Division in carrying their respective fronts. In the afternoon of the same day, and during all the following, my regiment joined in the general movement of the brigade.

Among the names especially deserving of honorable mention are those of the gallant Capt. John B. Doughty, who was killed while urging his men though the abatis; Capt. Henry Curran and Lieut. E. R. Jones did good service; Capt. Thomas Flint captured and destroyed two wagons loaded with valuable stores; Capt. William Bremmer captured and destroyed, three wagons, also loaded; Lieut.-Col. Bull was one of the first officers to enter the works. The color-sergeant, Robert H. Langton, and color-corporal, August Franz, cannot be too highly praised for their energy and daring. Sergt. James Young, of Company D, with some fifteen or twenty men, pushed ahead to the South Side road and fired on a train of cars which was passing and cut the telegraph wires for some distance, showing that they were the first to strike the road, since cars could not run had the road been struck previously.

Our loss this day was 14 killed and 67 wounded.

Second. In the movement of the 6th instant an attack was made on the left of the rebel line near Little Sailor's Creek. My regiment was ordered forward in line of battle, and I was instructed to guide on Third Division. The Third Division not starting in time, I pushed ahead, under orders of Col. Edwards, down the hill and across the swamp into which the men plunged recklessly, some of them up to their arm-pits. Having reformed the line, which had become broken by the passage of this obstacle, I threw out Company G, under command of Capt. Henry Curran, and Company C, under command of Lieut. E. R. Jones, as skirmishers. This line advanced rapidly, losing sixteen men by a fire from our left flank. I then ordered the whole line forward, suffering heavily from the same fire. The skirmishers, re-enforced by a portion of my line, swung around to the left and took the rebels in flank, causing for a moment a general stampede. Seeing a general officer and staff making to the rear and left, Capt. Curran sent forward several men from his right to watch their movement. These men soon got into their rear, when, seeing farther retreat useless, Lieut. Gen. Ewell surrendered himself and staff to Sergt. Angus Cameron, in charge of squad, remarking that the surrendered himself and 5,000 men, and inquired for an officer; none being present at the moment he surrendered unconditionally. Soon after a squad of cavalry came up and claimed the prisoners and took possession of them. Our loss was 15 killed and 72 wounded.

The names of the six men who captured Gen. Ewell are, Sergt. Angus Cameron, Corpl. Charles Roughan, Corpl. August Brocker, and Private John W. Davis, of Company C; Corpl. John J. Cosat and Private H. W. True, Company I.